Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
Schisandra is a hardy deciduous climbing vine bearing crimson berry clusters that famously combine all five basic tastes. A revered tonic in traditional Chinese medicine, it is also an attractive ornamental climber.
- Light
- Part shade to dappled sun
- Water
- Regular; keep evenly moist
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a deciduous woody climbing vine in the family Schisandraceae, native to forests of northeast China, Korea, Japan and the Russian Far East.
Its bright red berries are known as wu wei zi, "five-flavor berry," because they are said to carry all five classic tastes at once — sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent. This makes them unique among fruits and central to their reputation in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are used as an adaptogenic tonic.
Beyond medicine, schisandra is a vigorous, hardy ornamental vine with fragrant spring flowers and dangling clusters of jewel-like fruit.
How to identify it
- Fruit: drooping clusters (spikes) of small, round, bright red berries ripening in late summer to autumn
- Flowers: small, fragrant, creamy-white to pale pink, in spring; plants are usually dioecious, so male and female vines are needed for fruit
- Leaves: alternate, elliptic, glossy, finely toothed, turning yellow in autumn
- Habit: twining deciduous vine climbing 6-9 m on supports
- Taste: the berries are notably sour with sweet, salty, bitter and pungent undertones
Care & growing
Light: Partial shade to dappled sun, mimicking its woodland edge habitat; protect from harsh afternoon sun.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist; it dislikes drying out.
Soil: Rich, humusy, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Temperature: Very cold-hardy, through about USDA zones 4-7.
Feeding: Mulch with compost and feed lightly in spring.
Propagation: From seed (needs stratification), softwood cuttings or layering. Grow male and female plants together and provide a sturdy trellis or fence to climb.
Habitat & origin
Schisandra chinensis is native to the temperate forests of northeastern Asia — northeast China, Korea, Japan and southeastern Russia — where it climbs through woodland edges and over shrubs in moist, fertile ground.
It is cultivated both commercially for the herbal trade and as a hardy ornamental fruiting vine in cool temperate gardens.
Uses & benefits
Medicinal: The dried berries are a classic adaptogen and tonic in traditional Chinese medicine, used for energy, stress resilience and liver and respiratory support.
Culinary: The tart, complex berries are used in teas, juices, wines, syrups and preserves.
Ornamental: A handsome, fragrant, hardy climber for trellises, arbors and woodland-edge gardens.
Ecological: Flowers attract pollinators and the fruit is eaten by birds.
Frequently asked questions
Why is schisandra called the five-flavor berry?
Its berries are said to contain all five classic tastes at once — sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent — which is rare among fruits and central to its name and traditional reputation.
Do I need more than one plant to get berries?
Usually yes. Schisandra is typically dioecious, so you need both a male and a female vine for the female to set fruit, unless you have a self-fertile selection.
What is schisandra used for medicinally?
In traditional Chinese medicine the dried berries are used as an adaptogenic tonic for energy, stress and liver and lung support. Consult a professional before medicinal use.
Where should I plant schisandra?
Give it a sturdy support in partial shade with moist, rich, well-drained soil, echoing its native woodland-edge habitat.
Schisandra guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Schisandra.
